Apparatus for the treatment of liquids and liquid pulps



NOV. 6, W23.

, H. R. ROBBINS APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF LIQUIDS AND LIQUID PULPS original Filed oct. 21'. 1919 5 sheets-sheet 1 J d MV 7 jy if /#u/. Za Z Iv l@ W 1 Mmmm v NOV. 6,v i923. ll@

H. R. ROBBINS APPARATUS FOR 'THE TREATMENT OF LIQUIDS AND LIQUID PULPS original Filed oct. 21 1919 5 sheets-*sheet 2 ffy AETETEE Nov. 6, QZS.

H. R. ROBEINS APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT oF LIQUIDS AND LIQUID EULPs 5 sheets-sheeT- Original Filed Oct. 2l 1919 Patented Nov. 5, i923.

lill STS HALLET R. ROBBINS, 0F FIERRO, NEW MEXICO.

APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF LIQUIDS AND LIQUID PULPS.

Original application filed October 21, 1919, Serial No. 332,345. Divided and this application led December 21, 1920.

My invention relates particularly to an apparatus for the treatmentof liquids and liquid pulps, one of the uses of which may be for the concentration of ores bythe froth flota-tion process, and is a division of my application filed October 2l, 1919, Serial No. 332,345, in which the constituents of` ores are separated as a froth formed by the aera-` tion of a liquid pulp consisting of the finelyground ore and water, modified by the presence of `a flotation agent, such as finelydivided, emulsified or dissolved oils, or dissolved organ'c compounds or inorganic salts; but is also well adapted for other chemical, physical or metallurgical operationsrequiring efficient circulation and' aeration of liquids or semi-liquids.

Among the objects of my invention are the provision of an apparatus which will be cheap both to install and to operate; eliicien-t mechanically and metallurgically; adjustable to the varying conditions demanded by ores of differing physical and chemical characteristics; or by substances other than ores; and suited toy the economical handling of large tonnages; and which has advantages in these respects over apparatus for the fiotatlon treatment of ores or for similar purposes known or used at the present time.

When the flotation process was first discovered, the units of apparatus used were of' small size and capacity, and the belief became ,wide-spread that such small units were necessary in any application of the flotation process, owing to the necessity of limiting the vert'cal and horizontal travel of the bubbles to distances rarely exceeding two or three feet. All types of flotation apparatus in commercial use at the present time accordingly, so far as l am aware, consist of a large number of comparatively small units. The large-r units employed by me in lesser number simplify and cheapen installation, maintenance and operation.

In the early development of the flotation process, insoluble or difiicultly soluble oils Serial No. 432,291.

were used for promoting the flotation, and, m order to bring such oils into a proper state of sub-division of emulsilication, violent mechanical agitation was used, which also beat air into the pulp, said air being in small bubbles which were permitted to rise to the surface of the pulp in a separate compartment, thus forming the mineral-bearing froth. Y

In certain typesof apparatus not using mechanical agitation, the ore pulp is passed over a porous blanket, through which air is blown in large volume. Such porous blankets are rarely, if ever, of uniform porosity, and apparatus of this type in operation is practically always seen to show spots where air is escaping in too large bubbles, spouting up through the froth, contaminating it with gangue, and making it drop its accumulated load of floated minerals. Such porous blankets also retain in their meshes particles of minerals of high specific gravity, which soon results in greatly diminishing theporosity of the blanket, and in a tendency to increase the variation in the porosity of different portions of its surface. It is usually necessary to clean the blankets at least once each shift by sweeping or hosing, neither of which methods is completely efficient, and both of which cause a disturbance of the operating adjustments of the apparatus. This difficulty with heavy minerals settling out on porous blankets may be so serious as to preclude the successful treatment in apparatus of this type of ores of high specific gravity.

The object of the present invention is to avoid the limitations and objections above referred to, and, in addition, to introduce other features of advantage. Among the characteristic features of the invention are( l) a positive circulation of the pulp through the'zone of aeration; (2) a substantially uniform distribution throughout the body of the ore pulp of the solids and of a very large number `of extremely ne air bubbles; (f3) provision for skimming the froth, where this is necessary or important; (4) an arrangement such that there is a minimum delay and inconvenience in restarting, after a sudden and unexpected failure of the power or air supply; (5) economy in power required; (6) economy in air, due to increased depth of pulp through Which the air passes; (7)

cheap installation, with a minimum number of moving parts, and no parts moving at high speeds; (8) operation not requiring close and constant attendance; (9) economy of treatment of large tonnages of low grade ores; and (10) adaptation to either continuous treatment of ore pulp by flotation, or operation on the intermittent or charge system. The nature and advantages of the invention will be further described and illustrated by the accompanying` drawings and the fol-` lowing descri tion illustrative of the preferred embodiment thereof and of the preferred construction and operation. It

should be clearly understood however, that I do not limit myself to the precise form of apparatus shown in the drawings and described below, but may use other apparatus4 of different proportions, and with different details, operating on similar principles and accomplishing its results in substantially the same manner.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 illustrates a preferred construction V ing pipes;

able bearings 5 and driving mechanism 6- Fig. 6 is a sectional viedv-takeny on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail View illustrating a modiication.

Referring to the accompanying. drawings, and the reference numerals thereon 1 is an ordinary tank, of approximately cylindrical shape, with a fiat bottom, .and of relatively larger size than any container heretofore used for a flotation separation, in so far as I am aware.' A suitable size would be about 18 feet in diameter, and about 10 feet deep. The tank may be made of wood-staves, steel plate, concrete or other suitable material.` This tank 1 is provided with a hollow vertical conduit, 2, open at the bottom and top,- and suspended from a connecting casting 3 which 1n turn is `fas tened to a vertical shaft 4 provided with suitfor imparting a comparatively slow rotary movement to the same. To the connecting casting, 3 are fastened two distributing launders 7 in the bottom of which are several short pipes or launders 8. To the bottom of the hollow vertical lconduit are fastened inclined arms 9 provided with diagonal rabbles 10 and `supported by the lhinged links 1l to which are attached the chains 12'. The

inclined arms 9 are fastened to the hollow conduit 2 by, means of /hinged connections, about which they are lfree to rotate. A pipe 13 is provided for the introduction of air under pressure Within the hollow conduit 2 near the bottom of thesame.

14, 14, are air mains for conveying air under suitable pressure to the manifolds 15. The air mains are connected to the manifolds through the swivel ,joints 16b and the swivel pipes 16". Into the manifolds 15 are screwed, or to them are otherwise suitably connected, the air-tubes 1'6 an enlarged detail of which is shown in Fig. 5.' These airt-ubes 16 are closed at the outer ends, and

consist of ordinary pipes, with small perchains 22. The entire tube-grates,.consist ing of the manifolds and air-tubes are supported on the brackets 24 fastened to the sides of the tank 1. `The tube-grates are not fastened to the brackets 24 but simply rest upon them. y

25 25, are a number-,such as four, froth skimmers, consisting of light sectionsiof sheet i metal or other suitable substance, curved as shown,and with a sloping bottom edge,- so proportioned that at its lowest oint it is at or slightly below the pulp-leve andfat its highest point it is about on the same level with the top of the tank 1. The frothskimmers may-be supported substantially as shown, from the revolvin launders 7 and from the shaft 4 through tie chains 26. The action' of the skimmers is supplemented by the action of the diagonally arranged distributing pipes 8. The inner ends of the skimmers 25 may be adjustable to different positions, to increase the skimming effect, e. g., to positions indicated in dotted lines at 25a.

27 are hooks, so -positioned as not to be interfered with by the froth skimmers, for supporting the ends of the lifting chains 22 attached to the tube-grates. 28 is a short piece of pipe, open at the end, and rotatable about the swivel joint 29 and provided with a small outlet 30 at its lowest point. bottom of the tank is provided with an outlet .in which .is a gate valve 31. 32 is a launder surroundin the tank, sloping uniformly each way, su stantially as shown, to a discharge oint.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows. ,The tank 1 having been illed with pulp, the feed may be discharged continuously from a vpipe or launder into the con- The t necting casting 3 in which it joins and mixes With the stream of circulating pulp coming up the conduit 2 under the action of the air discharged from the pipe 13. The new feed and circulating pulp, mixed together', pass through the revolving launders 7 and pipes 8 which pass through the bed of froth, and discharge at or slightly beneath the pulplevel. In this way the pulp is uniformly distributed, over the surface of the contents of thel tank beneath the froth, and hence Without objectionable disturbance of the froth. As the ore particles in the pulp settle downward, they are exposed to the fiotative action of the fine air bubbles emitted from the air-tubes, and those which are not fioated eventually pass down between the air-tubes, and then are moved gradually toward the center of the tank by the rabbles 10 on the slowly-revolving arms E). At the center, they are drawn up into the vertical hollow conduit 2 to replace the pulp forced upwards therein b y air discharged from the pipe 18. It is seen that a positive circulation of the entire pulp is ensured, regardless of the size or weight of any individual particles therein.

The air discharged from the air-tubes 16 isbrought into the apparatus by the fixed air main 14 and passes through the swivel pipe 16 and the manifold 15 into the air tubes 16 and from them is discharged into the body of pulp, in the form of extremely fine bubbles, forced through the rope 18. The air bubbles travel a longer distance vertically than in existing forms of apparatus, due to the increased depth of the tank' and of the pulp therein, and consequently have more opportunity to pick up flotable mineral. The bubbles form a froth on the surface of the pulp, which is not disturbed by the passage of the circulating pulp throu h the pipes 8. The frothwis forced to the e( ge of the tank by the curved skimmers and by the diagonally arranged pipes 8 and is propelled by them over the edge into the collecting launder 32 from which it passes away from the apparatus as the finished product, or to a place of further treatment. The formof the skimmers. as well as the character of the curve and shape and form of the lower edge. may be varied to suit different conditions. In certain cases it is even feasible to dispense with the froth skimmers altogether, and permit the froth to overflow freely. l

When the apparatus is used in a continuous process, there will usually be several units in series. and the tailings may be continuously withdrawn' through the pipe 28 discharging into a launder leading to the next machine. or -to waste. as the case may be. The pulp level in the tank is regulated b v the position of the end ofthe pipe 28 and this position may be simply and readily adjusted by rotating the pipe 28 around theV swivel joint 29. ln order to prevent the choking of the pipe 28 by particles too heavy to be carried upward by the velocity of the pulp-stream therein, the small hole 3() is provided through which heavy and coarse particles may pass directly out .of the inachine. The size of this hole is such as to limit its capacity as a discharge orifice to less than the product ot' the apparatus. and in that way it cannot affect the pulp-level which will be dependent soley on the vertical position of the end of the dischargepipe.

If it is desired to use the apparatus on the charge or intermittent system, the discharge pipe 28 may be dispensed with, or raised to an inoperative position, the tank 1 filled by any convenient means, the charge being clrculated through the zone of aeration provided by the air discharged through the tubes 16 until the proper separation has been made, when the remaining material may be drawn off' through the gate-valve 31. In order to combine the advantages of intermittent and continuous operation, an even number of units of theapparatus may be used, and at any given moment half of them would be in process of bein filled or emptied and the other half woud be under circulation and aeration. rfhe removal of the froth would be similar in intermittent or continuous operation of the apparatus.

The quantity of air discharged through the end of the pipe 113 should and need be no more than just enough. to impart the de- .I

sired upward velocity to the pulp in the hollow conduit 2 on the principle of the airlift, well recognized as one of' the mos't economical methods for the elevation 'of liquids through small, differences of elevation. rIhis air is not used to agitate the pulp, nor as' a means of introducing bubbles to collect the mineral and form a froth, and practically all of it escapes direct-ly into the atmosphere from the top of the connecting casting 3 as soon as ithas fulfilled its sole function of elevating the pulp within the hollow conduit 2. The quantity of air discharged through the air-tubes 16 should and need be-no more than enough to furnish the bubbles to ,collect the mineral and form the "froth, No agitation is required, as choking of the apparatus by settled mineral is prevented by the rabbles 10 which keep everything in constant motion toward the entrance of the vertical conduit. The function of the rabbles l0 is solely to move the settled pulp slowly toward the center of the apparatus, and they move far too slowly to agit-ate it in the slightest degree.

Should occasion require the raising of the arms, Without emptying the apparatus, this may be readily accomplished by yturning the rotatin shaft 4 by hand power if necessary, as t e power required is very `and `if the apparatus is not emptied, the tube-grates may advantageously be lifted all or part way out of the tank. This may l' be accomplished without delay or difliculty Aof any kind, and without disconnecting an es, b sim ly turni the vertical sha t iiiitil th laurriders 713% directly over the clear space between the two tube-grates, then attaching the ends of the lifting chains 22`which are maintained within easy reach, on the hooks 27, to blocks conveniently suspended from the roof overhead, and hoisting` the tube-grates as high as desired, the air connections merely turning on the swivel joints 161. This procedure for removin the tubeates from the tank may be use in case o necessity for repairing or renewing the air-tubes 16 obviating any necessity for emptying the apparatus, and' reducing the effects of the interruption to the continuity of its operation to a-minimum. In re-Starti after a considerable period of delay wit the tank full of pulp,the arms 9 should be lowered until the chains 12 are slack, the vertical shaft 4 should be caused vating the pulp in the hollow conduit,

l co

' driving loose and ti ht pulleys.

mechanical means ma be used if desired', such asa boat pro ler, or Archimedean screw or other -devlce not wasting power in violent agitation of the pulp. Such modification is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawin wherein the hollow vertical conduit 2 1s suspended from a connecting casting 3a which is fastened Nto a vertical hollow shaft 4 which is' driven rotatively by beveled gearing 6 at the upper portion thereof. To the connecting casting 3a are 'fastened distributing launders 7a in the bottom of which are several short pi or launders 8%' Centrally of the hollow shaft 4 is a shaft 33, rotatively driven by beveledy rs-36 which, in turn, arel driven from the gears 37, 38, the latter being on the main shaft which may carry the usual The shaft 33 is provided vwit a screw 35 for elevating the i l pulp, and the lower portion of the shaft'is i provided with a hollow bearing part 34 to fit over a fixed member in the bottom of the tank 1, whereby the shaft is rotatively supported for movement above the bottom of the tank.

It is to be understood that other forms of tube-grate may be used, differing from that particularly described herein, all that is necessary being some device for emitting finel air-bubbles, uniformly distributed, and through which the -pulp can ass in its path of circulation, although `consider the specific construction of the tube-grate illustrated and described as novel and advanta ous.

he apparatus herein shown and described is not confined to use in a flotation process of the character claimed in my application above referred to, but such apparatus ma be used for any purposes requiringrcircu ation and aeration of a liquid pul he process which is performed by tlib apparatus as disclosed herein is claimed in prior application above referred to.

1. In a flotation concentration apparatus,

a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-'sectional area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the passage of pulp, and pulp dischargers substantially uniformly distributed along a line extending across said vessel at a level below the upper surface of the pulp and above said air dischargers. l

2. In a flotation concentration apparatus, a vessel forcontaining pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the passage of pulp, pulp dischargers substantially uniformly distributedon a line extending across said vessel at a level below the upper surface of the pulp, and above said air dischargers, and means for rotating said pulp dischargers.

3. In a flotation concentration apparatus, a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal `cross-sectional area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said airy dischargers being separated by. spaces for the passage of pulp, pulp dischargers substantially unii y4. In a flotation concentration apparatus,

Lafraise a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargersv substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the passage of pulp, pulp dischargers substantially uniformly distributed along a line extending across said vessel at a level below the upper surface of the pulp and above said air dischargers, means for withdrawing pulp from the lowel` part` of said vessel and returning it thereto through said pulp discharger s, andmeans for rotating said pulp dischargers.

5. In a flotation concentration apparatus, a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the passage of pulp, pulp dischargers substantially uniformly distributed along a line extending across said vessel at a level below the upper surface of the pulp and above said air dischargers, and an air-lift for withdrawing pulp from the lower part of said 'vessel and returnlng it thereto through said pulp dischargers.

6. In a flotation concentration apparatus, a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said air dischargers' surface of 'the pulp, and above said air dischargers, an air-lift for withdrawing pulp from the lower part of said vessel and returning it thereto through said pulp dischargers, and means for rotating said pulp dischargers.

7. In a flotation concentration apparatus, a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and `top thereof, said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the passage of pulp, pulp dischargers substantially uniformly distributed along a line extending across said vessel at a level below the upper surface of the pulp and above said air dischargers, means for withdrawing pulp from the lower part of said vessel and returning it thereto through said pulp dischargers, and means for causing the lower strata of said pulp to move toward the point from which pulp is withdrawn.

8. In a flotation concentration apparatus, a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said vessel at. a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof,`said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the passage of pulp, pulp dischargers substantially uniformly distributed along a line extending across said vessel at a level below the upper surface of the pulp and above said air dischargers, means for withdrawing pulp from the lower part of said vessel and returning it thereto through said pulp dischargers, means for causing the lower strata of said pulp to move toward the point from which pulp is withdrawn, and means for rotating said pulp dischargers.

9. In a flotation concentration apparatus. a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of l said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the passage of pulp, and also by a clearance space extending completely across the vessel, and a pulp discharger extending diametrically across the upper part of said vessel, said pulp discharger being of less width than said clearance space, whereby said air dischargers may be raised above said pulp discharger.

' 10. In a flotation concentration apparatus, a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the. passage of pulp, and also by a clearance space eX- tending completely across the vessel, a pulp discharger extending diametrically across the upper part of said vessel, said pulp discharger heilig of less width than said clearance space, whereby said air dischargers may be raised above said pulp discharger, and means for rotating said pulp discharger.

11. In a flotation concentration apparatus, a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially uniformly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the passage of pulp, and also by a clearance space eX- tending completely across the vessel` a pulp discharger of less width than said clearance space extending diametrically across the upper part of said vessel, and a rabble of less width than said clearance space below said air discharger, whereby said rabble may pass through said clearance space and said air dischargers may be elevated above said pulp discharger.

l2. In a flotation concentration apparatus, a vessel for containing pulp, air dischargers substantially -u n i f o r m ly distributed throughout the horizontal cross-sectional ten ing completely across the vesse i area of said vessel at a level intermediate the bottom and top thereof, said air dischargers being separated by spaces for the 'passage of ulp, and also by a clearance s ace-exa pulp discharger of less width than said c earance space extendin diametrically across the upper part of sai vessel, a rabble of less width than said clearance space below said air` dischargers, whereby said rabble may pass ythrough said clearance space and said air dischargers may be elevated above said pulp discharger, and means for rotating said pulp discharger.

13. An apparatus for the flotation treatment of ores, cemprising a cylindrical lreceptacle for containing a relatively large and deep body 0f lpulp air introduction means arranged above th receptacle for introducing fine air bubbles e bottom of the through orous material, a central rotating hollow s aft, rotatin rabble arxis carried thereby below the alr introduction means for moving the pulp towards the center of the receptacle,a launder carried by said central shaft above the pulp level and having depending dischar e pipes or launders extending through t e froth level into the pulp, and means for raising the pulp .through said central hollow shaft and intro- HALLET R. ROBBIN S.

' Witnesses:

ALICE BAnwIsE, JAMES D.- Smzovnn. 

